VHS and SVHS

[djan]

Hi everybody,

I don't know a lot about and I would like to know what's the difference between VHS and SVHS and how can I know if I have a VHS deck or a SVHS deck ? Thx.

[Arachnotron]

This (http://repairfaq.cis.upenn.edu/sam/icets/vcr.htm) link gives a nice review of different VCR tape formats.

In short: s-VHS can produce a higher resolution then regular VHS. (maybe resolution is not the correct wordt to use, but it is close enough)

Because s-VHS decks are more expensive, they often have nice features which also improves the playback of regular VHS tapes.

You can recognize such a deck by the word s-VHS written on the front :D, and (on most decks) the s-video (Y/C) inputs (also called hosinden)
which is a small round four-pin connector.

[djan]

When a pre-recorded VHS cassette is played back on a S-VHS recorder, it is without the S-VHS quality. The recorder will then automatically switch to normal VHS.
So it's better to not buy an SVHS deck when I know I have only VHS tapes.

[Arachnotron]

So it's better to not buy an SVHS deck when I know I have only VHS tapes.

No! :)

Even if you only play back VHS tapes, a s-VHS deck can offer some advantages. THey often include extra's which also improve VHS playback, like TBC (=time base correction, a nice circuit to improve bad tapes). Also, since VCR's are going the way of the dodo, you can pick up some nice bargains nowadays, so you might just as well get one.

But most important, a s-vhs deck can always output a s-video signal, even when playing normal VHS. And capping a s-video signal gives better quality than capping composite. VHS decks almost always only produce a composite signal.

Why this is so is a long story. In short:

- in order to process a composite signal, your cap device has to separate this into Y and C (luma and chroma rep.). This process gives rise to some loss of detail and color artefacts. By capping a s-video signal, which is already separated , you avoid this step. If you are interested in this, do a search on the word "combfilter"

-second, when digitizing a composite signal, a cap device can deploy only one ADC (analog to digital converter). When digitizing s-video, both Y and C get their own ADC each, which improves digitizing accuracy.

So, if you can find a nice one, go s-VHS.

Of course, that is only my opinion. Other people may totally disagree with me.

[djan]

Very thx for all your explanations. Can you advise me some good S-VHS Deck ? Again thx.

[Arachnotron]

Not really, since mine is an older model and it was a while back I researched this.

The main brands on the cheaper side seem to be Panasonic and JVC (you can get very expensive pro models, but I guess that is not your aim).

The cheapest model JVC's are reputed to have very lightweightt mechanics that break down easily, but the models above that seem to be ok. No idea if this still is true.

For JVC, the suite of extra digital filters and the like is called 'digipure'. Not all models have it. (again, the cheapest ones don't)

A small word of warning: don't expect miracles. VHS tapes have limitations, and no amount of expensive electronics is going to correct that. Don't expect DVD quality to come out of such a deck.
A good S-VHS deck will help to get that last bit of quality out of a tape, but if it is worth the extra money depends on how critical you are about those last small details. It is not that a good regular VCR will give complete crap results in comparison. The difference can be quite subtle and a lot of people probably won't notice it (or won't care). A lot of people get very good results with regular VCR's.

So, if you can get a good deal for S-VHS, by all means go for it. I found mine to be a good investment. Just don't go overboard on the price before you are sure you are going to need one.

[djan]

How much did you buy your ? If I can find a cheap one on eBay, it's possible I buy it. But how much do you think I don't have to go over ?

Thx.

[Arachnotron]

How much did you buy your ? If I can find a cheap one on eBay, it's possible I buy it. But how much do you think I don't have to go over ?

I bought a JVC HRS-7950 for EUR 200,- in a sale about half a year ago.
It was cheaper because it was an older model (The 7960 succeeded it I think) and it has a TBC / digipure.
You see the HRS-5960 model a lot for EUR150-180, but I would stay away from that one (cheap mechanics, no digipure)

At the time I did not find any decent s-VHS players for less then EUR 200, while standard VCR's already started at EUR100. The prices may have come down a bit by now, I don't know.
From there on the sky is the limit. How much to spend on a VCR and how much the difference is worth is entirely up to you. It's your money after all :).

Ask around in this forum what kind of VCR's other people use for capping. Might give you a better idea then only my limited experience. Who knows, I may be completely crazy :D

[djan]

No brother, you helped me a lot and I thank you. :) I'll look around, thx.